By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Four Willamette University women's basketball players contributed double-digit scoring as the Bearcats defeated Vancouver Island University (Canada), 83-59, at Cone Field House on Thursday, Dec. 29. Kaitlin Imai (Fy., G, Santa Cruz, CA/Scotts Valley HS) led the way with 16 points, while junior guards Megan River (Tumwater, WA/A.G. West Black Hills HS) and Carolyn Ho (Parker, CO/Ponderosa HS) each scored 15 points. Sami Riggs (Sr., G, La Verne, CA/Bonita HS) provided WU with 11 points.

Willamette improved its record to 5-5 on the season. Vancouver Island fell to 5-2 overall, and to 0-1 against NCAA opponents. WU will host Alma College (Mich.) on Friday, Dec. 30. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. (PST) following the Bearcat men's basketball game against Douglas College (Canada) at 4 p.m. 

The Bearcats outscored the Mariners in all four quarters and owned a 39-28 lead at halftime. In addition to finishing with four players in double figures, the Bearcats also received six points and six rebounds from Claire Bonnet (Sr., G, Boise, ID/Boise HS), while Ashlyn Ascuena-Mercil (Sr., F, Boise, ID/Timberline HS) provided 10 rebounds. Imai registered six assists and River supplied five assists. Riggs earned three steals.

Harriette Mackenzie of Vancouver Island topped all scorers with 20 points to go along with a game-high 13 rebounds. Mackenzie Cox supplied 14 points for the Mariners. Mackenzie Hall was credited with 12 points and five rebounds. Kayla Gregory hauled down nine boards.

Vancouver Island scored the game's first two points, but the Bearcats surged in front 11-3 on the strength of an 11-1 run that featured five points by River and four points from Bonnet. Ho started the run with a jump shot and River completed the outburst with a 3-pointer. 

Cox sank two free throws, made a 3-point basket, and put through a layup as VIU pulled within 12-10. Later, three-pointers by Amber Hemrich and Cox pulled the Mariners level at 16-16 with 1:05 left on the clock. Ho connected on a 3-pointer for WU just 14 seconds later and Riggs added a layup with 32 seconds remaining to give the Bearcats a 21-16 lead at the end of the quarter.

The Mariners stayed close early in the second quarter, but a 3-pointer by Emma Floyd (Fy., F, Camano Island, WA/Stanwood HS) at the 6:33 mark gave Willamette a 28-21 advantage. The trifecta started a 9-0 run that created a 34-21 lead a bit later when Imai hit another 3-pointer for the Bearcats. Mackenzie converted a traditional three-point play for Vancouver Island to stop the run with 2:37 to go in the half. WU led 39-28 at the break.

After VIU tallied the first basket of the second half, Willamette scored 11 unanswered points for a 50-32 lead. The success early in the third quarter began with individual baskets by Bonnet and Ashley Collins (Jr., P, Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills HS) and continued with a 3-pointer and a layup by River, plus a layup by Ho at the 4:25 mark. The Bearcats led by at least 15 points for the remainder of the game.

The Bearcats owned a 58-39 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Vancouver Island reduced the margin to 58-42 when Hall completed an old-fashioned three-point play with 8:52 to go. A layup by Floyd of Willamette ended the mini-run and the Bearcats eventually took a 64-44 lead. Courtney Buckley tacked on a 3-pointer for the Mariners and a layup by Hall cut WU's advantage to 64-49 with 5:59 left. 

Imai scored on two 3-pointers as the Bearcats extended the lead to 70-49 with 4:43 on the clock. The Bearcats outscored the Mariners 13-10 over the closing minutes.

Willamette shot 40.8% from the field (31 of 76) and made 11 three-point shots. The Bearcats were 10 for 11 at the free throw line (90.9%) and ended the game with a 43-38 rebounding edge. Willamette achieved a 21-11 advantage in second-chance points.

Vancouver Island was held to 32.8% on field goal shooting (19 of 58), including 4 of 12 from 3-point range. VIU hit 17 of 23 free throws (73.9%). WU forced the Mariners into 18 turnovers, while the Bearcats lost possession just seven times.